All the goings on and results from the latest rounds of the British 4X series…
Race report – Schwalbe British 4X Series – rounds 5 and 6 – SW Extreme
South West Extreme always provides a great weekend for the Schwalbe British 4X Series and rounds 5 and 6 down on the Devon coast continued the tradition of sunshine and great racing.
If you haven’t been to SW Extreme before you really are missing out. High wire ropes course, Mountain Boarding, Slopestyle MTB track, North Shore, Dirt Jumps, Wipeout and of course one of Britain’s best 4X tracks. With the beach being just 5 minutes away as well, the facility is awesome and well worth a visit.
The 4X track was designed and built by Will Evans 2 years ago and continues to provide fantastic race action every time we go there. With a great 1st straight, wide berms, rock section and a huge pro line on the final straight, this track has a bit of everything and makes for a great 4X track.
The new 4X National Champions all arrived with their fresh jerseys, sporting Union Jack flags on their left arms after their wins a few weeks ago. Talking of the National Championships, Scott Roberts, who had a huge crash 4 weeks ago, came along to SW Extreme to see everyone and let everyone know how he was doing. After breaking 3 bones in his back, it was fantastic to see Scott up on his feet and walking around all weekend. I’m sure it won’t be long before we see him on a bike again. Great to see him there and good luck with the recovery Scotty.
Round 5:
Saturday was round 5, and with the sun shining, the track was in perfect condition. In the Elite women’s, Suzanne Lacey was looking good, but under pressure in every race from Charlotte Green, Cara Murray and Jess Greaves. In the final, Jess got the snap and looked loike she might get the holeshot into turn 1 but Suzanne just got there first taking the lead through the chicane. Cara Murray rode smart and moved into 2nd relegating Jess to 3rd. Charlotte Green was on it all day but in the final it just did not go her way and she ended up 4th. A huge mention must go to 4X new girl Erin Maguire who travelled all the way down from Scotland to Devon for her first 4X race. She rode well all day, loved every minute of it and took home 5th for her work and the final spot on the podium.
The Elite men looked fast all day, tearing up the track and making it look too easy. Scott Beaumont won all his motos and the semi final to book his place in the final. Issac Mundy had some great speed and would join him along with Will Evans and Tom Dowie. Boom Boom got the holeshot and took the lead into turn 1. The others were fighting for 2nd for half of the track but as it settled down, Isaac was in 2nd with Tome Dowie in 3rd and Will Evans 4th. That’s how it stayed to the finish line, but it was a great race and really close from start to finish. A great result for Duncan Ferris who took 5th and the final spot on the podium.
The other categories were won by:
Fun – Keaton Greenwood
Big Fun – Ash Brown
Rippers – Harry Fernihough
Juvenile – Dylan Grell Delsoll
Youth – Bard Kerr
Junior – Jordan Lunn
Senior – Danny Hughes
Masters – Gareth Parr
Round 6:
Sunday was round 6 and after the weather had forecasted some rain on Saturday evening, we all woke up on Sunday to find that the forecast had been wrong and the rain had missed us. It stayed away all day and we were lucky to have a perfect weekend of sunshine.
There was going to be a different winner in Elite women as Suzanne Lacey was ill on Sunday and unable to race. With the European 4X Championships taking place in Poland next week, she decided it was best to sit out this race and get better for next week. Cara Murray, Charlotte Green, Jess Greaves and newbie Erin Maguire lined up for the final. Charlotte Green got the holeshot but an awesome move from Cara Murray put her in the lead. Cara is one of the most dedicated 4X supporters, yet she has never won a 4X national. She was leading the race and holding the others off as Charlotte and Jess battled behind her. Across the finish, Cara held on and took her first win. Brilliant for Cara and women’s 4X. Charlotte held on to 2nd with Jess in 3rd and Erin in 4th. Mabel Mundy, Isaac’s sister rode well all day and was rewarded with 5th position and the final spot on the podium.
On to the Elite men, and Scott ‘Boom Boom’ Beaumont was on it again, winning his 3 motos and the semi final again to move into the final once more. Joining him would be Isaac Munday, Will Evans and Alex Metcalfe. It was a case of 2 of the old guard racing against 2 of the future stars. Beaumont got the snap and led the race through the first turns. Isaac was with him and stayed close all the way with Metcalfe in 3rd. Isaac just couldn’t close the gap and Beaumont took the win whipping his bike through the pro line in early celebration. A consistent weekend for Isaac as he took 2nd with a great from Alex Metcalfe in 3rd. Evans was 4th and 5th place was Tom Dowie.
The other categories were won by:
Fun – Ben Lovell
Big Fun – Max Robinson
Juvenile – Dylan Grell Delsoll
Youth – Luke Cryer
Junior – Jordan Lunn
Senior – Danny Hughes
Masters – Chris Cumming
So that was it for a glorious weekend of 4X racing under the sun in Devon. The final round of the Schwalbe British 4X Series is on Saturday September 15th – part of a great weekend of racing at Afan 4X track in South Wales as the final round of the Schwalbe Euro 4X Series is on Sunday 16th September as well. With Europe’s top riders confirmed to be attending, this is one weekend you will not want to miss.
The British 4X team would also like to wish the British riders who have been selected by British Cycling, and are going to the 4X European Championships in Poland next weekend, all the best of luck.
Scott Beaumont, Nathan Parssons, Tom Dowie, Dan Bateson, Lewis Lacey, Katy Curd and Suzanne Lacey will be representing Great Britain and we hope that they can bring home some medals. Good Luck!
